Rock Cats raise the bar for 'Going Green'

Double-A team introduces creative ways to "Go Green" at New Britain Stadium with its Green Team,
including a one-of-a-kind interactive in-stadium display

NEW BRITAIN, CT - Many professional sports teams have taken the initiative to introduce "Going Green" campaigns at their stadiums; the New Britain Rock Cats minor league baseball team has not only joined the green forces but have added a unique twist.

With the support of several community partners, the Rock Cats have taken an unprecedented step towards promoting more earth-friendly practices both at New Britain Stadium and in fans' homes. With the new Green Team Initiative well underway for the 2010 season, the Rock Cats have found ways to make New Britain Stadium a more sustainable and green facility as well as educating the public through creative and unique endeavors. The Green Team is based on four main components - education, recycling, reusing, and reducing.

Some stadium initiatives include intensified recycling efforts that include new recycling bins throughout the stadium courtesy of Pepsi and a single-source recycling system in partnership with All Waste, reusing by taking advantage of plastic and paper supplies containing partially recycled-content, and reducing energy throughout the stadium.

This season, the Rock Cats - the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins - are also taking advantage of their popularity to educate Connecticut residents on ways to improve their homes. The highlight of the Green Team education initiative is an interactive Energy Shed display inside the front gates of the stadium. Connecticut based Lantern Energy, whose goal is to provide each customer with a customized energy reduction plan, will maintain this exhibit throughout the season. The exhibit highlights the efforts of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund's Home Energy Solutions Program (HES), a unique statewide energy initiative in which homeowners are able to "save green by going green."

Fans who stop by the Lantern Energy exhibit during a Rock Cats game are offered a free Energy Shed tour.  The Energy Shed, a one-of-a-kind mini-museum right on the stadium's concourse, has intrigued visitors of all ages. The display showcases examples of the simple yet effective energy solutions - many of which are included in the home assessment - including: CFL light bulb replacements, water saving shower heads, duct sealing, caulking, air sealing, and pipe insulation. Fans are also able to speak to trained professionals about the program and receive tips of how to save money and energy at home. The Energy Shed has been a hit at the stadium already this season.

One of the focuses of the exhibit is to bring attention to the home energy assessment program available to Connecticut residents.  The work performed is valued up to a thousand dollars for each home visit, but the CEEF allows state residents to sign-up for the home assessment for only a $75 co-pay. Rock Cats fans will receive even more of a deal - just for mentioning the Rock Cats upon scheduling an appointment, fans will be able to receive an additional $25 off a home assessment from Lantern Energy.

Rock Cats employees have been among the first to take advantage of this program and can truly attest to its benefits. Among the front office staff who first jumped at the opportunity for a home assessment was Rock Cats' Vice President and General Manager John Willi.

"Like most people - when I first heard of the program it sounded too good to be true," said Willi. "The light bulbs, caulking, sealing, and faucets delivered an instant energy savings in my home.  The technician also educated us on future actions and improvements that could save money and reduce energy usage, and the various rebates available.  It was a great experience and something I am recommending to friends and family."

Promoting such a unique and worthwhile program is just one way the Rock Cats are going green this season. The team has also designated a page of its website to the Green Team, where fans are able to access weekly Rock Cats "Green Tips" and Rocky's All-Star Tips for Saving Energy. Furthermore, the team will have on-going in-stadium messages, information on ways to "go green" at home, and special event days, including Rock Cats Energy Efficiency Celebration Night on Thursday, July 15 against the Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

Fans had the opportunity to receive free tickets to the Energy Efficiency Celebration Night by entering Rocky's Energy Saving Challenge.  In an effort to fulfill their commitment to reduce energy waste, Rocky is challenging fans to join the effort by viewing Rocky's All-Star Energy Tips for Saving Energy online, select three of the energy tips, and email those tips that will be adopted at home or workplace. The Rock Cats and the CEEF will reward fans with four free tickets to the July 15^th home game.

Will added: "We are rapidly moving toward a more efficient and cleaner society.  As the local sports team the Rock Cats felt compelled to take steps to not only lead by example and institute more earth-friendly practices in our operations, but to utilize our popularity and access to a large fan base to educate the public and encourage everyone to take positive actions.  We have taken steps in the right direction, and hope to continually improve this program in years to come."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GREEN TEAM OR OTHER ENERGY-RELATED INITIATIVES, PLEASE CONTACT THE NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS AT (860) 224-8383 OR VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINKS AT WWW.ROCKCATS.COM UNDER THE COMMUNITY SECTION:

• Rocky's Green Team: CLICK HERE 
• Rocky's All-Star Tips for Saving Energy: CLICK HERE 

Lantern Energy Home Energy Assessments are sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power, Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, and The United Illuminating Company. For more information on Lantern Energy or the CT Home Energy Solutions Program, please call the New Britain Rock Cats at (860) 224-8383, visit www.CTEnergyInfo.com, or by calling Lantern Energy at 1-877-878-3006 or visiting www.LanternEnergy.com.